Elderberry is one of the most famous medicinal plants in the world. However, not enough people take it for or even know the amazing benefits of elderberry.

Elderberry is known to benefit the immune system, skin care and many other things. .

Are you interested in less acne and fewer colds?

Read on to learn everything about its amazing health benefits, uses and recipes you can make with them.

What are the Health Benefits of Elderberry?

While it was used a lot more in the past, when people commonly took it to improve their immunity, nowadays it’s mostly used as a supplement when people have a flu or a cold.

Here are some of the other benefits of elderberries.

They are full of nutrients

Elderberries don’t have many calories and they are full of antioxidants. They also have a high level of vitamin C, they are high in dietary fiber, phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins and so on. This means that they cover a wide range of extremely important issues and that they can definitely help.

Elderberries can also be used for flu and colds

Elderberry is traditionally used for the purpose of helping with colds and flus. This is because it’s full of vitamins and beneficial elements which make it a great food to eat when you have a cold or a flu. This was scientifically confirmed in various studies. You can also take it as a supplement to prevent colds and flus.

It’s rich in antioxidants

They can prevent oxidative stress and prevent diseases like type 2 diabetes and oxidative stress. It can prevent chronic diseases and heal the skin from many issues. Because of antioxidants, it also reduces inflammation. But, the processing process might kill some of its antioxidative benefits.

It can help with heart health

Elderberry juice can reduce fat levels in the body, decrease cholesterol and improve the levels of flavonoids which can reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attack. They can reduce the levels of uric acid in the blood and reduce blood pressure. It increases insulin secretion and improves blood sugar levels.

It can help people fight cancer

All types of elderberries showed some cancer-stopping benefits in test tube studies.

It can fight harmful bacteria

Elderberry can inhibit bacteria growth and prevent various diseases.

It can support the immune system

Elderberry polyphenols were found to increase the number of white blood cells.

It can protect against UV radiation

Skin product with elderberry in it has a strong SPF factor and it can protect the skin against the sun.

It can increase urination

Elderberry flowers were found to improve urination frequency and excretion of salt.

It can have some mental health benefits

Because of flavonoids, elderberries can help improve your mental health.

Does Elderberry Help the Immune System?

People are often reaching for elderberry when the flu and cold seasons start. Elderberry in the form of tea, juice or supplement is commonly used to fight infections and boost immunity. There are many different elderberry plants but the flowers on the European elder are the most popular ones for healthy purposes.

Supplements like syrups, gummies, lozenges, pills and teas are all used to supply the body with antioxidants and improve the response of the body to some of the most common infections.

However, as all of the traditional medicine remedies are commonly questioned, so is elderberry.

Does it really work?

There have been many tests and studies done on humans, in test tube conditions and on rats. Most of them showed positive and beneficial results of the effect the elderberry had.

The main reason why the elderberry was questioned was because of the low risk adverse effects. But, if you prepare them properly, berries and flowers are great for your health and carry almost no risk. However, other parts are not to be eaten. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid it.

Most people would benefit from including the elderberry to their diet and suffer from no adverse effects. You should also take foods that are rich in vitamin C, vitamins C, vitamin E and so on.

Are There Elderberry Benefits for Acne?

Elderberry has been used for centuries by traditional cultures in healing various illnesses and helping the skin look better.

Do the benefits of elderberry include acne relief?

Elderberry is a plant rich in anti-inflammatory properties, antiviral properties and antioxidants which all help build a healthy and natural acne fighter. It’s also antiseptic and it can create a great face wash for your acne. The flavonoids protect against the damage of skin cells. In fact, elderberry has a higher content of flavonoids than all other berries.

They can help keep your cells from being damaged by harmful free radicals and bacteria. Adding fiber to your diet – which elderberries also have – can help your face clear from acne because it would improve your gut health.

Elderberries also have plenty of vitamin A which can help your skin stay young and free of age spots.

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How to Make Your Own Elderberry Syrup

Elderberries are great for many health and beauty issues. Elderberry syrup has gotten more attention because of this. Besides being cold and flu medicine it can help various other illnesses and many conditions.

The syrup has been widely available and you can get it anywhere. You can also make it at home. You can take it when you get a cold or a flu and you can also take small amounts when you are healthy to prevent flu or the cold.

Elderberry syrup is safe, in most cases. Some homemade formulas, when improperly made,can cause nausea or vomiting. The berries contain cyanogenic glycoside sambunigrin which can cause these adverse effects and this has to be deactivated with heat before ingesting. But after heat processing, it’s completely fine to consume it as a remedy for flus and colds.

Anything with elderberries that is not heat treated should not be consumed or used on the skin.

If you use small doses of elderberry syrup, you will most likely not experience any side effects. On the other hand, taking larger doses will result in vomiting and nausea.

For elderberry syrup, it’s crucial to know how to make it properly. You need to get elderberries from a trusted source and then remove all of the twigs or unripe berries. You also need to cook them enough to remove the toxin.

To make a proper batch of safe syrup, you should have:

100 g of dried elderberries

1-2 quarts of distilled water – it should be cold

1 ½ cup thick and liquid sweetener like honey or brown rice syrup

You should combine the berries and water, then allow the berries to soak until they get soft. You should also bring them to boiling after that, by cooking them over medium heat. When it boils, reduce to simmer and then cook for 30 to 45 minutes while stirring frequently. You shouldn’t cover the pot in this phase. This process is the most important part of the toxin release.

You should let it cool after this and then strain the extract and measure the liquid. It should be about 2 cups but you can add water to reach those two cups. If there are more than two cups, you should continue boiling. Combine this with the cup and a half of honey or any other liquid sweetener. Bring back to the boil and boil it for 30 minutes tops, until this mix is thick.

You shouldn’t take more than 15 ml of this syrup 4 times a day. If you have an infection, you should take a dose every 2 to 3 hours for 2 to 4 days.

Is it Safe to Eat Elderberries Straight?

Many people wonder if elderberry is poisonous.

It’s confusing – elderberry bushes are poisonous but elderberries are good for you.

The truth is that some parts of the elderberry bushes are poisonous and shouldn’t be consumed while some are healthy in certain conditions. Seeds, stems, leaves and roots are poisonous for humans – they can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and in some cases even coma.

The berry is the part you can and should consume – but never straight from the bushes. It needs proper heat processing that will destroy toxins and create a perfectly healthy product for anyone looking for an aid in healthy lifestyle.

Some other kinds of elderberry are more or less toxic, but the European or American Elderberry is the healthiest one for consummation in case of flu, cold or any other beauty or health issue. However, keep in mind that you should never eat berries and that you should learn to recognize them in the wild so that you can avoid them.

You can grow your own elderberries in your own garden as they are not hard to grow. Make sure that you always dry them before using them for syrups or other supplements.

Elderberries are a great thing for people who are looking to prevent cold or seasonal flus. You can make your own syrup with simple ingredients or you can purchase supplements from a trusted source.